IPL 2021 auction: NZ players overlooked for 2nd rate Australians, blasts Simon Doull

South Africa-born Kiwi batsman Conway smashed a 59-ball 99 and powered his team to a 53-run win over Australia in the first of five T20 Internationals in Christchurch on Monday. Conway wasn't picked by any franchise in IPL 2021 auction while likes of Glenn Maxwell were sold for Rs 14.25 crore.

Devon Conway has scored three consecutive 90s in T20 games. (Source: Twitter)

Former New Zealand fast bowler Simon Doull says players from his country have always been ‘overlooked for second rate Australians’ in the IPL, expressing his views after Devon Conway created a flutter with his splendid hitting days after going unsold at the glamorous league's auction. South Africa-born Kiwi batsman Conway smashed a 59-ball 99 and powered his team to a 53-run win over Australia in the first of five T20 Internationals in Christchurch on Monday. 

But Doull felt it may not matter. “Not sure it matters,” Doull tweeted, referring to the blazing knock in his reply to a post by India off-spinner R Ashwin, in which he wrote in appreciation, “Devon Conway is just 4 days late, but what a knock.”

Not sure it matters @ashwinravi99 NZ players have continually been overlooked for second rate Australians in the IPL for years. Seems outside of IPL big bash is the only comp looked at.. #player #NZcricket

— Simon Doull (@Sdoull) February 22, 2021

Doull, who is now a commentator, said on the social networking site, “NZ players have continually been overlooked for second rate Australians in the IPL for years. Seems outside of IPL big bash is the only comp looked at..” 

The former New Zealand fast bowlers made his point by adding that since the start of IPL, 94 Australian have been bought for Rs 886 crore while only 31 NZ cricketers have played in IPL for Rs 212 crore. 

“Just some context. I did not mention any names so stop trolling. Since IPL started 94 Aussies at combined 886 Crore. 31 NZ players 212 Crore.  Both countries have 6 first class teams and both have domestic T20 comps. It’s more about timing and viewing of BBL. #balance #scouting,” Doull tweeted. 

Conway, whose base price in the IPL auctions was a modest Rs 50 lakh, went unsold as none of the franchises showed interest in him, despite him being in fine form for his national side and in other competitive T20 matches. 

Conway came into the T20I opener against Australia on the back of four consecutive half centuries – 93 not out, 91 not out, 69 and 50 (his previous Super Smash scores) -- and with another unbeaten innings, he became the first New Zealand player to record five successive fifties in the game’s shortest format. 

While Conway may not have found any takers in the IPL, his countrymen Kyle Jamieson (Rs 15 crore) and Adam Milne (Rs 3.2 crore) received handsome contracts at the auctions, picked up by Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians respectively.

(with PTI inputs)